West Nile Virus Has Been Detected in Pasco County — Here's What Wesley Chapel Residents Need to Know

WESLEY CHAPEL / PASCO COUNTY, FL — Pasco County mosquito control officials are ramping up surveillance and treatment operations after West Nile virus was detected in sentinel chickens in the county. The Florida Department of Health in Pasco County says West Nile virus has been detected in sentinel chickens in the county, though no human cases have been reported.

The detection comes as mosquito-borne illnesses continue to be monitored across Tampa Bay. A locally acquired case of dengue was reported Monday in Hillsborough County. Pasco County has now been added to the state's mosquito-borne illness advisory list alongside Alachua and Miami-Dade counties.

What the Detection Means 

The good news is that the detection happened exactly the way it's supposed to. "The sentinel chicken program is excellent, and it really has done exactly what it's designed to do," said Adriane Rogers, executive director of the Pasco County Mosquito Control District.

Sentinel chickens are strategically placed across the county and tested weekly for mosquito-borne illnesses including West Nile, eastern equine encephalitis, and dengue. When a positive result comes back, the district doesn't wait. "We have been out performing increased surveillance and very targeted control applications in affected areas for the last two weeks," Rogers said. "We don't wait for an advisory from the health department."

The chickens with West Nile virus were found in two locations near the south-central part of Pasco County. The district uses both ground and aerial treatments to help control mosquito populations.

Why Mosquito Populations Are Elevated Right Now 

Rogers said recent mosquito activity is tied in part to rain, but also to drought conditions seen earlier this year. "Mosquitoes can lay eggs during dry periods that can lay dormant for months, even years, depending on the mosquito species," Rogers said. "So, once we do finally get enough rain where those eggs are inundated with water and can hatch off, that's when we really see mosquito populations increase."

For Wesley Chapel residents — where master-planned communities are built around retention ponds, lakes, and conservation areas — this cycle plays out every summer. The current conditions make it especially important to take precautions now.

What Residents Should Do Right Now 

Rogers was clear that this is not a cause for panic — but it is a reason to be more vigilant than usual heading into peak mosquito season.

"I would not say it's cause for panic or alarm," Rogers said. "What this does is helps us to bring awareness to the community, to help people understand that mosquitoes are capable of spreading deadly diseases."

Here's what you can do immediately to reduce your risk:

• Dump standing water — even a bottle cap's worth of water can breed mosquitoes. Check planters, gutters, bird baths, and any containers in your yard after every rain

• Use insect repellent — products containing DEET, picaridin, or oil of lemon eucalyptus are most effective

• Cover up — wear long sleeves and pants during peak mosquito hours, typically dawn and dusk

• Report large outbreaks — if you notice a significant increase in mosquito activity in your neighborhood, submit a service request directly to the Pasco County Mosquito Control District

Request a Service Call 

Residents who see a large increase in mosquito activity in their neighborhood can submit a service request through the Pasco County Mosquito Control District's website. This is one of the most underused tools available to Wesley Chapel residents — and it's free.

📍 Applies throughout Pasco County including all of Wesley Chapel 

📅 Detection announced: July 31, 2026 

🌐 pascomosquito.org for service requests and district information 

📲 Service request: pascomcd.leateamapps.com